Manuscripts

MSS 158Associations for the Education of the Deaf, 1937-1987Collection of Associations for the Education of the Deaf, 1937-1987

Gallaudet University Archives

Descriptive Summary

Repository: Gallaudet University Archives Call No.: MSS 158Creator: Associations for the Education of the DeafTitle: Collection of Associations for the Education of the Deaf, 1937-1987Quantity: 45.5 Linear Feet (25 document boxes) Abstract:

Note: This document last updated 2005 November 17.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information: The collection of the Associations for Education of the Deaf was acquired from the office of the Associations for Education of the Deaf in Columbia, Maryland in 1987.Processed by: Michael Olson, 2005.Processing Note: Conditions on Use and Access: This collection is open to the public with the exception of Boxes 95-97, which are restricted. Photocopies may be made for scholarly research.

Related Material in the Archives:See ALADIN

Historical Sketch

Associations for Education of the Deaf (AED) were formed in 1978 to conduct business of the Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf and the Conference of Educational Administrators Serving the Deaf. AED is the corporate National office of the CAID and the CEASD. For many years the CAID and the CEASD maintained a joint National office. In addition to serving the staff and management requirements of the separate organizations, the Office was made responsible for management of the production and distribution of the journal, the American Annals of the Deaf. The Office also was responsible for management of separately funded contracts and grants sponsored by unrelated agencies. The joint National Office was a composite of the National Office of the several entities. A small central staff was assigned to carry out the work of the parent organizations and the Annals.

There were several issues developed in this operation. The issues were: more costly to maintain separate payrolls; how to determine which of the organizations would bid for available contract or grant activities when there was in interest on the part of more than one parent entity; and the concern of maintenance of a National Office, for organizations which had traditionally not required a central office, represented a cost against organizational income from dues and other sources.

To resolve this issue, a Joint Administrative Committee for the National Office was established in 1975. In 1977 the Executive Director of CEASD/CAID/AAD was directed to explore approaches to establishing the composite National Office as a freestanding entity which would continue to serve the management requirements of the parent organizations. Finally, in 1978, the Executive Committee of the CAID and CEASD each approved the incorporation of the National Office as a separate entity. The name became Associations for Education of the Deaf.

Scope and Content

Associations for Education of the Deaf consists of letters, articles, newsletters, financial reports, minutes, constitution and by-laws, memorandums, program books, reports and brochures.

The collection, which consists of approximately 26,350 pages, dates from 1937 to 1987. The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence related to the captioned films and captioning issues. Also included in the collection is about educational films for the deaf. There are correspondence and information on legislation related to the education of the deaf. Included in the collection is correspondence with various deaf organizations. There is some interesting information on technology for the deaf.

The largest subject in the collection is focused on the captioning issues and also on education of the deaf. There is a large collection on Special Materials Project (SMP) which was a contract funded by the Office of Special Education, Department of Education. This project incorporates the program of distribution of captioned films for the deaf with responsibility for distribution of certain materials collections to other special education populations.